In October of 2010, just weeks shy of my 40th birthday I rode a 115 mile bike ride in the Nevada desert. It was the most extraordinary physical thing I have ever done, and at the finish line I scared my husband by bursting into tears. I was just so overwhelmed at what I’d been able to do.

Fourteen months later, I finished 20 minutes on the treadmill at 2 miles an hour for the first time since the falling down, numbness, and twitching started. And again, I scared my husband by bursting into tears. I was just so overwhelmed at what I’d been able to do.

In January the numbness started, by March I was falling down and my gait had reached a continuous state of awkwardness. It would be another 9 months of tests and appointments before I would have my NMO diagnosis. Nine months of the unknown and feeling my body get weaker and weaker every day.

That 20 minutes on the treadmill (every day now) is sometimes the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am so grateful that I can still do it. I am grateful for my diagnosis and doctors that have a plan in mind for me to manage my symptoms and my life, and for all of you here who know so much more than I do, and are so generous with your knowledge.

Next week we move up to 25 minutes!

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